A protest against rising food costs that began early Thursday apparently became violent after protesters allegedly stole a trailer carrying food along the Suleja-Kaduna road.
According to eyewitnesses, the protesters overpowered the driver and grabbed control of the trailer, which was laden with rice and other things. They then began to steal from the truck.
One of the eyewitnesses said, “I saw the miscreants surrounding the trailer and chanting protest songs that it was their food.
“Before we knew what was happening, the hoodlums had overpowered the driver of the trailer, who had to run for dear life, and they began to steal from the trailer.”
The witness went on to say that security forces, including military, police, and civil defence staff, invaded the demonstration site and began using tear gas to disperse the protesters.
“It took some time before security operatives got to the scene to start shooting teargas and trying to make an arrest,” the source added.
Wasiu Abiodun, the state police spokesman, verified the occurrence.
Abiodun stated that Suleja Area Commander ACP Sani Musa dispatched patrol units to the spot and dispersed the protesters before the roadway was cleared for free flow of traffic.
“There was a protest this morning along Kaduna Road, Suleja, and the protest plan was not communicated to the police; it was later discovered to be hijacked by some miscreants who blocked the highway.
“Area Commander Suleja and ACP Sani Musa mobilised patrol teams to the scene, dispersed the protesters, and cleared the highway for free flow of traffic; however, monitoring continues,” Abidun said.
The official could not say how many of the hoodlums were apprehended at the time of reporting this article.
In recent weeks, there has been a wave of protests across the country against the hardships of the land.
It began with a demonstration in Kpakungu, Minna, which was claimed to be spearheaded by women.
It later resulted in the arrest of approximately 30 people, including the women who led the demonstration.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
